Imbolc/Lá Fhéile Bríde

Today marks the traditional festival of Imbolc (for many neoPagans) and Lá Fhéile Bríde for we GRP's.

Traditionally sometime between the end of January and beginning of February there is a temporary thaw, and in the Gaelic homeland is actually marked by the appearance of spring greenery. For us this is the first stirring of spring and the first sign that the dark half of the year is coming to an end.

This day has its strongest associations with the goddess Brigid, one of the most well known pan-Gaelic (and arguably Celtic) deities. Brigid has two broader associations which tie into aspects of cosmogony; fire and wells. Brigid is for many CR's a central figure because she is associated with the hearth, the center of our homes and base for ritual activity. Lá Fhéile Bríde is a time for the aplication of blessings of protection, especially upon our homes and loved ones.

Likewise Brigid is associated with holy wells, many make pilgrimages to local water supplies and place her blessing on them for the year to come. I made the trek this morning too a local reservoir which also happens to be one of the major feeding points for the Humber river, to whom I also performed a blessing.

Often we will make Brigid's crosses, after burning the one from the previous year, and hang them in the doorway to our home. These are made by weaving together either straw or supple reeds. Brigid is also thought to wander herself the eve of Imbolc before, and so offerings, especially of ribbon, buttons and food will be left just outside our door, to both aid Brigid and receive her blessings as she passes by.

Oímelg shona daoibh!

For my fellow Polytheists and Pagans, how did you spend your Imbolg/ Candlemas?

I worked. I worked 12 hours today. Today sucked. I am going to bed. Night, guys.

In the tradition I belong to, we call it February Eve. I had a very quiet one this year since I have been working too much and I was very tired, and besides thought I was getting sick. So I just lit some candles and read a student's lesson about February Eve and how she worked in the Stone Soup story and had a good dinner. Plus gargling with salt water! Whether it was the gods, the salt water, or good food and rest, I feel better today.

That's too bad SG, I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Gilly, I find that most celebrants of Lá Fhéile Bríde tend towards being a lot more hearth focused, and as such tend to have simple rituals or activities to mark the occasion; where Beltane, La Lunasa and Oiche Samhana tend to have a little more fan fare.